A US military helicopter crashed while on a training exercise in eastern England on Tuesday, with four crew members believed dead, according to police.
“A US Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter crashed at about 6.00pm [local time] today near Salthouse on the Norfolk coast,'' said a statement issued by the 48th Fighter Wing, based at nearby Royal Air Force station Lakenheath.
Norfolk Police later issued a statement saying that “four occupants are thought to have died in the crash.’’
Police said the aircraft may have been carrying live ammunition.
The US base at Lakenheath confirmed one of its aircraft had been involved in an incident during a training mission outside Cley-Next-The-Sea.
Lakenheath is situated in neighboring rural county of Suffolk and, although it is an RAF base, hosts US Air Force units and personnel, including the 48th Fighter Wing.
Also known as the Liberty Wing, the 48th is key to US air power in Europe, and is understood to be involved in anti-terrorism operations.—AFP